For those of you who don’t know about Supersonic - it’s a small festival, based in Birminghams’ Custard Factory arts depot. Its been running once each year for the past 5 years, and since then its risen in profile quite a bit.
Over the
years, we’ve had such high profile bands as Battles (now signed to
Warp), Coil, LCD Soundsystem, Isis and much more. It’s a festival
catering for everyone although it tends to move towards the more
specialised. But what you get here is something you wouldn’t normally
get elsewhere. Maybe Sonar in Barcelona. Infact, this has been
described as the ’next best thing to Sonar’ - which is a huge
compliment.....
So, anyway - onto this years Supersonic. They really did pack it big - absolutely FULL of bands this year, ranging from the slightly easy listening to the most hardcore ’this’ll give you nightmares’ type bands... Probably the most mainstream we had, was Tunng - who played brilliantly. They played a mixture of the old and the new - selected tracks from their first two LP’s, and some from the new LP out later this year on Full Time Hobby. They seemed very much relaxed, with one of them telling a joke to please impatient fans during problems, bringing an additional smile to all our faces. You can tell this is a band who enjoy playing live. And thanks for that, because we enjoyed watching! I can tell their next LP is going to be a belter, as they played some really excellent stuff - including a heavy zeppelin esque guitar led track fit to slight drum ’n bass folk... I absolutely loved! Plus they played ’Bullets’ which is their first new single coming up. Blown away.....
I was actually told to watch at least one song from Serefina Steer while Tunng were playing.... but bad timing - they were playing Enging Room, which was a must watch for me. I’ve watched Serefina (Sefa) live before though, and she’s amazing. Produced by Mike Tunng...
Shady Bard were OK - they looked rather relaxed, and played a few from their recent album, which included Penguins. That was lovely. I think we’ll be seeing more from them soon. At the same time, Voice Of The Seven Woods were playing, but I didn’t get the chance due to too much chatter at the record stalls... See - this is what happens when you’ve got too much going on at once. I’d rather see a whole set than 20 minutes of each. But then - it’s only me here at Velvet Grooves, so I caught what I could. It just goes to show though, how much effort Jenny & Lisa (the curators) go into running this festival - there really is a huge selection of bands on!
I managed to catch about 10 minutes of Calvados Beam Trio, who reminded me slightly of Battles (could be wrong after only 10 minutes of listening...). They sounded great - very promising. Check the end of the review for a link.
Beestung Lips I also wanted to check, but unfortunately forgot due to Tunng (damn you! ;-)). But then it was Modified Toy Orchestra time. The last time I saw these was supporting Battles, and they never fail to impress each time. This time they showcased a new ’toy’ - a modified guitar! So Brian Duffy (’King’ Toy) declares ’Supersonic Rock!’ - which we all shout with excitement, as the MTO suddenly becomes Rock ’n Roll from the future! If this is how their new album is going to sound, I’m VERY much looking forward to it!
And now comes the bit which annoyed me. The festival ’capacity’. Just as you’re about to go to the toilet/buy a burger/buy a drink - you make your way back to the main stage, and find you’re not allowed back in. WHAT?! ’No sir - we’ve reached full capacity - you’ll have to join the back of the queue. You can go back in on a one out, one in basis’. Unbelievable. Even though I - or should I say ’we’, as about 30 people were standing behind me with angry faces, wondering why they weren’t allowed back in EVEN THOUGH they’d payed £35 PLUS been there since 4pm.... forced to join the back of the queue, filled with people JUST JOINING THE FESTIVAL (around 10.30pm). Sorry girls - I love the festival a lot - it’s almost one of a kind - and I feel you’re doing an amazing job but this has to be improved. Fire Safety Regulations are important to stick to, but when you have several stages which have less then a third capacity filled, and you complain that the festival has reached full capacity - this I don’t understand... hopefully something to be fixed for next year. All this due to a terrorism scare two years ago...
Now back onto the good - I managed to see some Chrome Hoof! I’d heard of these before from Pitchfork, but tonight was really my introduction. And I was amazed. Many many genres packed into one set, the band clothed in glittery ’monk’ style costumes, a dancer on stage just for them, and humerous stages just to add.... this had to be my highlight of the festival. Prog-rock, folk-rock, jazz, classical, metal etc etc - I loved them!
Theyn it was Mogwai, who came on late but still with a bang. Yes - Mogwai are a very loud band, and also very high profile - hence why they were headlining. But whilst I was looking forward to seeing them, I felt they weren’t the best on show. Once you’ve heard a bands album a hundred times, you can feel slightly bored - and this is how I felt. They played their key tracks over an hour and a half, from all albums right up to their most recent, and I think everyone enjoyed them hence why the place was packed. I think this must’ve compensated for the ticket/queue shite we had to endure before (or maybe it was Chrome Hoof). Actually - one guy did shout out Chrome Hoof! just when Mogwai started, so maybe so ;-)
And finishing off the festival for me, it was Duracell. A crazy drummer, jamming to video game soundtracks - the kids couldn’t get enough. I’ve not watch a group of lads go so crazy before to a solo drummer. He was like Lightning Bolt without the guitarist.... even the Mogwai fellas were impressed....
And that was it - another great year for the Supersonic Festival. A great success for the Capsule Girls (despite safety regulations - but afterwards made up for it). So my question is - who’s up for next year? Probably Tunng again. Please please though - a request from me! Part & Labor, and Canon Blue. You knows it! *smiles!*
BBC Collective review by David Thair (including video’s)
(who I met - nice fella - seemed majorly blown away by Sunn 0)))... I was going to suggest medication...)
Pete Ashtons’ photo-blog of Supersonic
Myspace: Voice Of The Seven Woods
Myspace: Modified Toy Orchestra
